Automatic touch identification system and method thereof

ABSTRACT

An automatic identification system for communicating identifying information by coupling signals through the human body is provided. The system includes a battery powered identification device that transmits an identifying signal via a modulated carrier. The identification device is coupled to the body of the user via a coupling plate. The signal from the identification device is received by a reading device that is also coupled to the body of the user via a coupling plate. The reading device may display and/or enunciates the identifying information to the user. The coupling technique, carrier frequency, and construction of the devices are such that the identification information is not inadvertently radiated or coupled to unintentional users or receivers.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation in part of U.S. applicationSer. No. 12/764,699 entitled “Automatic Touch Identification System andMethod Thereof”, filed on Apr. 21, 2010 which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/171,206, entitled “AutomaticTouch Identification System and Method Thereof”, filed Apr. 21, 2009,the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a need to identify objects and people (“objects”)automatically. Automatically determining identity eliminates humanerror, makes the identification process faster, and allows directinterfacing with computing systems and related applications. The mostcommon types of automatic identification in use today include barcodes,RFID labels, and magnetic cards. Automatic identification is used forapplications such as identifying items in inventory or for checkout,providing entry into secured areas, logging into a computer system,facilitating rental car returns, positively identifying patients inhospitals, ensuring the proper medication is being delivered, andnumerous other applications. Unfortunately the systems used today havemany drawbacks and inadequacies. Conventional systems typically requirethe user to hold a reading device (such as a barcode scanner), or tohold an identification device (such as an ID card) thus tying up theuser's hands. In addition, these systems only work when a barcode, RFIDtag, or magnetic card is properly scanned. Most scanners only work avery short distance, require that the barcode, RFID tag, or magneticcard be correctly oriented to the reader, and frequently do not readcorrectly on the first scan, making them inadequate for manyapplications. Real time location systems (“RTLS”) can also provideautomatic identity, but are large and complex systems that are expensiveand difficult to install and maintain. In addition most location systemsdo not have the spatial or temporal accuracy required for most automaticidentification applications.

The drawbacks and inadequacies of current systems create significantcompromises in many applications. For example ID cards containing abarcode, magnetic strip, or RFID chip are commonly used to unlock a doorfor access to restricted areas. People desiring to enter the area mustscan the card at a reader near the door. The person must retrieve the IDcard from a pocket, wallet, or purse, and orient it correctly to thereader. If the card is not oriented correctly or not read properly bythe reader, the person must repeat the operation. This process can betime consuming and frustrating to the user.

Similar ID card systems are used to authorize access to computersystems. Frequently these systems are used together with a password toprovide positive user identification and access to the system. Thesesystems have many of the same problems as entry access systems. Peopledesiring to access the computer must scan the card at a reader. Theperson must retrieve the card from a pocket, wallet, or purse, andorient it correctly to the reader. If the card is not oriented correctlyor not read properly by the reader, the person must repeat theoperation. This process can be time consuming and frustrating to theuser. Frequently the user will set the ID card down on the work surfacenext to the computer and forget to pick it up when they are finishedwith their task, which can lead to a lost card and/or a security risk.Another problem with these systems is that people frequently forget tologoff when they have completed their tasks and simply walk away fromthe computer. When this happens, an unauthorized person can then walk upto the computer and have unauthorized access. In an attempt to preventthis problem from occurring some computer systems automatically log auser off if there is isn't keyboard activity for some period of time. Ifthe timeout period is too short then users get logged off inadvertently.A user may turn to talk briefly to a colleague and turn back to thecomputer only to find that they have been logged off. If the timeoutperiod is too long and the user forgets to logoff then there is a periodof venerability for unauthorized access.

The need for an improved computer authorization system is particularlyevident in hospitals where mobile care providers access many differentcomputer systems on a frequent basis and are faced with strict HIPPArules for patient confidentiality. Hospitals can also benefit from otherapplications of automatic identification systems. Another example ispositive patient identification. Clinical personnel need to positivelyidentify patients prior to administering medication or performingprocedures. Hospitals have tried to utilize barcodes and RFID tagslocated on patient's wrist bands for this purpose. This requires thatthe clinician use a reading device which means the clinician must belocated next to the reading device, search for a portable device, orensure that he has a portable reader on him at all times. This createsissues in spending time searching for a reader, or the hassle ofcarrying a reader. There is also the issue of limited battery life inportable readers, where even if the clinician has a device available itmight not be usable due to a low battery. In addition it can bedifficult to scan the barcode or RFID tag since it is located on thepatient's wrist and can be in a variety of positions making it difficultto properly align the reader or even get the reader near the ID band.

A touch identification system could also enable new applications such asautomatically determining whether personnel are complying with handwashing requirements. In many jobs, such as food-workers andhospital-workers, there are requirements for hand-washing to ensurepublic safety. Unfortunately these policies are frequently not followed.To ensure compliance it would be desirable to have a system thatautomatically determined that an employee activated the soap dispenserand logged the event.

Another application of a touch identification system is to monitoractivities of daily living of the elderly. Many elderly desire to liveindependently rather than live with a relative or enter an assistedliving facility. Unfortunately it can be risky for the elderly to liveindependently. Issues like chronic illness, medication errors,forgetfulness, depression, not eating well, and falling greatlycomplicate the situation. To assist the elderly in their desire to liveindependently, it would be desirable to have a system that automaticallymonitored activities of daily living that could detect issues in timefor corrective action to be taken.

Technologies and products have been developed to provide communicationof information through or on the body of a user, but these technologiesand products have not been broadly adopted due to their significantdrawbacks and inadequacies. Many of these technologies and productsrequire very specific placement of devices on the body of the userand/or require multiple contact points—some including groundconnections—making them impractical to use. Most of these technologiesand products do not address the issue of communication signalsinadvertently radiating or coupling from the devices or the user, whichcould result in signals being wrongly communicated creating securityissues with the system. There is also the issue of unreliableperformance due to users having different body characteristics such asbody mass and skin impedance and environmental issues causing variablestray coupling of the user to objects in the environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it would be beneficial to have an automatic touchidentification system that identified objects (e.g. people and things)by the user having a device on his/her person and simply touching, orcoming in very close proximity to, a device located on another object,that was inexpensive, simple to use, secure, and worked well withdifferent user characteristics and body types.

It would also be desirable to have an entry control system thatautomatically identified a person if they had an ID device on theirperson and simply touched a spot on a reader next to the door or thedoor handle itself.

A computer authorization system may automatically identify a person withan ID device on their person when the person touched the keyboard areaof the computer. The system may also be used as a log-in log-off systemin connection with computers. For example, the system may keep the userlogged-on as long as their ID matched the ID read at log-on, but wouldlock out any attempt of someone without an ID (keyboard activity withouta detected ID) or a non-matching ID (keyboard activity with a differentID detected) from using the computer under the initial user's log-on andwould automatically log-off the original user.

The identification system may also used by clinicians to accessinformation associated with a patient. For example, the identificationsystem may allow the clinician to touch the patient's wrist or braceletlocated on the patient's wrist with his finger and have the ID readautomatically.

A hand washing monitoring system may automatically identify a personwith an identification device or reading device on their person when theperson entered an unsanitary area (e.g. bathroom) and when the personused a soap dispenser and/or faucet. Objects in those areas would havethe complementary identification device or reading device allowinginformation to be communicated when the person touch the objects. Thesystem could provide a prompt to the person and/or notify a supervisorif the person failed to wash his hands prior to returning to work.

The identification system may also be used for activity monitoring foran elderly or infirmed person. Identification devices located on, orbuilt into, objects in the person's home could communicate the objectsID to a reading device worn by the user. Knowing that the person touchedan object of a specific ID could allow the system to determine theperson's activity. For example, an ID associated with a toilet handlecould indicate that the person flushed the toilet.

In accordance with one embodiment, a system is provided forcommunicating identifying information by coupling signals through thehuman body. The system includes a battery powered identification devicethat transmits an identifying signal via a modulated carrier and iscoupled to the body of the user with a coupling plate. The signal fromthe identification device is received by a reading device that is alsocoupled to the body of the user with a coupling plate. The readingdevice displays and/or enunciates the identifying information to theuser. The coupling technique, carrier frequency, and construction of thedevices are such that the identification information is notinadvertently radiated or coupled to unintentional users or receivers.

According to an embodiment, an identification system for transmitting orreceiving information via a user comprises an identification device anda reading device. The identification device includes a first couplingmodule configured to couple the identification device to the user by acapacitive type connection or a galvanic type connection. The readingdevice includes a second coupling module configured to couple thereading device to the user by a capacitive type connection or a galvanictype connection. The identification device transmits identifyinginformation via the user. The reading device receives the identifyinginformation from the identification device via the user. The firstcoupling module of the identification device transmits the identifyinginformation to the reading device via the user over a carrier frequencyhaving a frequency less than or equal to about 3 MHz.

In accordance with one embodiment, a method of verifying identifyinginformation from an identification device comprises coupling anidentification device to a user via one or more of a capacitive couplingand a galvanic connection using a first coupling module. The methodfurther includes coupling a reading device to the user via one or moreof a capacitive coupling and a galvanic connection using a secondcoupling module. Identifying information is transmitted by the firstcoupling module from the identification device to the reading device viathe user over a carrier frequency having a frequency less than or equalto about 3 MHz. The method also includes receiving, at the readingdevice, the identifying information transmitted by the identificationdevice via the user.

According to various embodiments, the method may also includeestablishing a network connection between the reading device and acomputing device. The reading device or the computing device may deriveinformation from the identifying information received from theidentification device. The method may further include sending, by thereading device, the identifying information or the information derivedfrom the identifying information by the reading device to the computingdevice over the network connection.

According to another embodiment, a method for using an automaticidentification system to control a computer sign-on/sign-off systemincludes coupling an identification device to a user via one or more ofa capacitive coupling and a galvanic connection using a coupling moduleand coupling a reading device to a computing device. The method furtherincludes transmitting identifying information from the identificationdevice to the reading device via the user when the user establishes oneor more of a capacitive coupling and a galvanic connection with thereading device. The method also includes transmitting, by the readingdevice, the identifying information received from the identificationdevice to the computing device. A logon screen is displayed to the userif the identifying information received from reading device containsvalid identifying information. The user is logged on. The method furtherincludes monitoring keyboard activity using the computing device anddisabling a display device of the computing device if the keyboard isinactive for a pre-determined amount of time. Keyboard activity isdetected using the computing device. The method also includes checkingthe identifying information sent by the reading device. The methodfurther includes enabling the display device of the computing device ifthe identifying information remains unchanged or logging off the user ifthe identifying information received from the reading device haschanged.

According to another embodiment, a method for using an automaticidentification system to monitor hand washing includes coupling anidentification device or reading device to a user via one or more of acapacitive coupling and a galvanic connection using a coupling moduleand coupling a reading device to a computing device. The method furtherincludes transmitting identifying information from the identificationdevice to the reading device via the user when the user establishes oneor more of a capacitive coupling and a galvanic connection with acomplementary reading device or identification device. The method alsoincludes transmitting, by the reading device, the identifyinginformation received from the identification device to the computingdevice. The method further includes monitoring the user's activity todetermine whether the user is coupled or connected with anidentification device or reading device associated with an uncleanobject. The method also includes checking that the user washed his handsfollowing contact with the unclean object by watching for user couplingor connection with an identification device or reading device associatedwith hand washing such as a soap dispenser.

According to another embodiment, a method for using an automaticidentification system to monitor activities of daily living includescoupling an identification device or reading device to a user via one ormore of a capacitive coupling and a galvanic connection using a couplingmodule and coupling a reading device to a computing device. The methodfurther includes transmitting identifying information from theidentification device to the reading device via the user when the userestablishes one or more of a capacitive coupling and a galvanicconnection with a complementary reading device or identification device.The method also includes transmitting, by the reading device, theidentifying information received from the identification device to thecomputing device. The method further includes monitoring the user'sactivity, logging that activity in the computing device, and providingalerts and reports based on the user's activity.

Suitable methods can be employed to implement the foregoing system andaccordant functionality.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will be apparent from the description herein and theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to thesame parts throughout the different views.

FIG. 1A is a schematic block diagram of an automatic touchidentification system according to the teachings of the presentinvention;

FIG. 1B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of anautomatic touch identification system according to the teachings of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2A is an illustrative depiction of an automatic touchidentification system of the present invention showing the coupling andsignal paths for an identifying signal;

FIG. 2B is an illustrative depiction of another embodiment of anautomatic touch identification system of the present invention showingthe coupling and signal paths for an identifying signal;

FIG. 3A is a schematic block diagram of an identification deviceaccording to the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of anidentification device with a touch detector according to the teachingsof the present invention;

FIG. 3C is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of anidentification device with a sensor according to the teachings of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4A is a schematic block diagram of a reading device according tothe teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a readingdevice according to the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is an illustrative depiction of the automatic touchidentification system of the present invention applied to identifying apatient in a clinical setting;

FIG. 5B is an illustrative depiction of another embodiment of theautomatic touch identification system of the present invention appliedto identifying a patient in a clinical setting;

FIG. 6 is an illustrative depiction of the automatic touchidentification system of the present invention applied to a door entrysystem;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of an automatic touch identification systemaccording to the teachings of the present invention applied to a doorentry system;

FIG. 8 is an illustrative depiction of the automatic touchidentification system of the present invention applied to a hand washingdetection system;

FIG. 9 is an illustrative depiction of the automatic touchidentification system of the present invention applied to anotherimplementation of a hand washing detection system;

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of an automatic touch identification systemaccording to the teachings of the present invention applied to a systemto monitor hand washing;

FIG. 11 is an illustrative depiction of the automatic touchidentification system of the present invention applied to a computersign-on/sign-off system;

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram of an automatic touch identification systemaccording to the teachings of the present invention applied to acomputer sign-on/sign-off system;

FIG. 13 is an illustrative depiction of the automatic touchidentification system of the present invention applied to an activitymonitoring system;

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram of an automatic touch identification systemaccording to the teachings of the present invention applied to anactivity monitoring system;

FIG. 15A is an illustrative depiction of an identification deviceaccording to the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 15B is an illustrative depiction of another embodiment of anidentification device according to the teachings of the presentinvention;

FIG. 16 is an illustrative depiction of the automatic touchidentification system of the present invention showing undesirablesignal radiation from an identifying device;

FIG. 17A is an illustrative depiction of the coupling between a user anda coupling plate according to the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 17B is an illustrative depiction of another embodiment of thecoupling between a user and a coupling plate according to the teachingsof the present invention;

FIG. 18 is an illustrative depiction of the automatic touchidentification system of the present invention showing undesirablesignal radiation from a user;

FIG. 19 is an illustrative depiction of a test setup for measuring thesignal radiated from the body a user at different operating frequencies;

FIG. 20 is an illustrative depiction of a test setup for measuring thesignal conducted or transmitted by or through a user at differentoperating frequencies;

FIG. 21 is a graph illustrating the relative amplitude of signalsradiated from the body of a user, and conducted or transmitted by orthrough a user at different operating frequencies to the teachings ofthe present invention;

FIG. 22 is a flow diagram describing the coupling of the identificationdevice and the reading device according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 23 is a flow diagram describing the coupling of the identificationdevice and the reading device where the reading device communicates witha computing device over a network according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The illustrative embodiment of the present invention provides a systemand method of identifying objects by the user simply touching, or comingin very close proximity to, a device located on another object whilepreventing the identification information from being inadvertentlyradiated or coupled to unintentional receivers. As used herein objectscan be items, things, people, or animals of any type that can be usedwith the identification device or reading device of the presentinvention.

FIG. 1A depicts one embodiment of an automatic touch identificationsystem 100 suitable for practicing an illustrative embodiment of thepresent invention. According to this embodiment, the automatic touchidentification system 100 includes an identification device 110 and areading device 130 that are coupled to the user 120. According tovarious embodiments of the present invention, the identification device110 may send identifying information such as an identifying signal tothe reading device 130. The identification information may be sent,conducted or otherwise transmitted by the identification device 110 tothe reading device 130 via the user 120.

Another embodiment of an automatic touch identification system 100suitable for practicing an illustrative embodiment of the presentinvention is illustrated in FIG. 1B. In this embodiment, the exemplaryautomatic touch identification system 100 may include the identificationdevice 110, the reading device 130 that are coupled to the user 120. Theexemplary automatic touch identification system 100 may also include acomputing device 150 and an electronic storage 160 that communicate withthe reading device 130 over a network connection 140. According to theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 1B, the reading device 130 may send ortransmit identifying information of the reading device and theidentifying information received from identification device 110 andthrough the network 140 to the computing device 150.

As used herein the term network is intended to include any wired orwireless communication means including but not limited to wireless localarea networks (e.g. 802.11, 802.15, infrared, Bluetooth), wireless widearea networks, paging systems, cellular telephony, medical telemetry, asatellite network, USB, Firewire, RS232, RS485, CAN, I²C, a parallel busor some other type of network or combination thereof. As used herein theterm computing device is intended to include any computational deviceeither hardware or software or a combination of both such as a personalcomputer, server, personal digital assistant (PDA), cell phone or someother type of computational device capable of receiving the identifyinginformation.

The computing device 150 may use the identifying information fromidentification device 110 and reading device 130 for purposes such asunlocking a door, resetting an alarm, initiating or maintaining acomputer logon, or other purpose. Computing device 150 may also placethe identifying information and related information into electronicstorage 160 which may be accessed by other systems. As used herein, theterm electronic storage is intended to include any data storage mediumsuch as a database, memory, registers, RAM, DRAM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash,a disk drive, or other storage means.

In both of the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B the readingdevice 130 may be worn or carried by the user 120 and the identificationdevice 110 may be worn, carried or otherwise attached to another object170, or identification device 110 may be worn or carried by the user 120and the reading device 130 may be worn, carried or otherwise attached toanother object 170. FIG. 2A illustrates an embodiment of an automatictouch identification system 100 where the reading device 130 is worn bythe user 120 and the identification device 110 is attached to anotherobject 170. In this embodiment reading device 130 is coupled to the bodyof user 120. When user 120 touches or comes in very close proximity toidentification device 110 the identification device 110 becomes coupledto the user 120.

Reading device 130 and identification device 110 may be coupled directlytogether or through other objects such as the floor 180 which completesthe circuit. Another embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 2B where theidentification device 110 is worn by the user 120 and the reading device130 is attached to another object 170. In this embodiment identificationdevice 110 is coupled to the body of user 120. When user 120 touches orcomes in very close proximity to reading device 130, the reading device130 becomes coupled to the user 120. Reading device 130 andidentification device 110 may be coupled directly together or throughother objects such as the floor 180 which completes the circuit. As usedherein the term “coupled” is intended to include capacitive coupling, agalvanic connection, a combination of capacitive coupling and a galvanicconnection, or other coupling means.

An example of an identification device 110 according to an embodiment ofthe invention is illustrated in FIG. 3A. In this embodimentidentification device 110 contains a coupling module 111 capable ofcoupling a signal to a user 120. The coupling module 111 may include acoupling plate that is discussed in further detail below in connectionwith FIGS. 10A and 10B. The coupling module couples the identifyingsignal representing the identifying information to the user andgenerates the carrier frequency to relay the signal to the readingdevice. According to various embodiments of the present invention, thecoupling module may also include a small coil or a trace on a PC boardas means for coupling the identification device 110 to the user 120. Thecoupling module 111 may use capacitive coupling, a galvanic connection,a combination of capacitive coupling and a galvanic connection, or othermeans to couple a signal to the user 120. Coupling module 111 alsogenerates a carrier frequency and performs modulation of the identifyingsignal. According to this embodiment, a controller 112 determines thetransmission period, duration and content of the identifying signal. Inthis embodiment the identifying signal is sent on a periodic basis so asto be available when the user touches or comes in close proximity to theidentification device 110. The controller 112 may be provided in theform of hardware or software or a combination of both such as amicrocontroller or microprocessor running firmware, a field programmablegate array (FPGA) or other such means. The identifying information sentby identification device 110 may include a name, number, classification,type, or other identifier either unique or not unique. Identificationdevice 110 is powered by battery 114.

FIG. 3B illustrates an alternate embodiment of the identification device110 of the automatic touch identification system 100. In this embodimentidentification device 110 contains a coupling module 111 capable ofcoupling a signal to a user 120. The coupling module 111 may usecapacitive coupling, a galvanic connection, a combination of bothcapacitive coupling and a galvanic connection, or other means to couplea signal to the user. Coupling module 111 also generates a carrierfrequency and performs modulation of the identifying signal. Accordingto this embodiment, a controller 112 monitors a touch detector 113 todetermine if the user 120 has touched or is in close proximity toidentification device 110. Touch detector 113 can be a capacitive sensoror a button contained in identification device 110 or other means todetect that a user is touching identification device 110. Whencontroller 112 determines that a user 120 has touched or is in closeproximity to identification device 110 through touch detector 113 itsends an identifying signal. The controller 112 may be provided in theform of hardware or software or a combination of both such as amicrocontroller or microprocessor running firmware, a field programmablegate array (FPGA) or other such means. The identifying information sentby identification device 110 may be a name, number, classification, typeor other identifier either unique or non-unique. Identification device110 is powered by battery 114.

Still yet another embodiment of the identification device 110 of thetouch identification system 100 of the present invention is illustratedin FIG. 3C. In this embodiment identification device 110 contains acoupling module 111 capable of coupling a signal to a user 120. Thecoupling module 111 may use capacitive coupling, a galvanic connection,a combination of both capacitive coupling and a galvanic connection, orother means to couple a signal to the user. Coupling module 111 alsogenerates a carrier frequency and performs modulation of the identifyingsignal. According to this embodiment, a controller 112 receives datafrom sensor 115. Sensor 115 may monitor characteristics of the user 120such as motion, temperature, or blood pressure, or may monitorcharacteristics of the user's environment such as temperature orhumidity, or other characters of the user, the environment, or otherobjects. When user 120 touches or is in close proximity toidentification device 110, identifying information is sent by controller112. The controller 112 may be provided in the form of hardware orsoftware or a combination of both such as a microcontroller ormicroprocessor running firmware, a field programmable gate array (FPGA)or other such means. The identifying information sent by identificationdevice 110 may include; sensor data, a name, number, classification,type or other identifier either unique or non-unique. Identificationdevice 110 is powered by battery 114.

An example of a reading device 130 according to an embodiment of theinvention is illustrated in FIG. 4A. In this embodiment reading device130 contains a coupling module 131 capable of coupling to a user 120 toreceive a signal. The coupling module 131 may use capacitive coupling, agalvanic connection, a combination of both capacitive coupling and agalvanic connection, or other means to couple to a user 120. Couplingmodule 131 also performs demodulation and/or other conditioning of thereceived signal. According to this embodiment, a controller 132 receivesthe identifying signal from coupling module 131 and sends theinformation to display and enunciating module 133. In this embodimentdisplay and enunciating module 133 displays the information on a visualdisplay and/or enunciates the information through a speaker orheadphones. Controller 132 may be provided in the form of hardware orsoftware or a combination of both such as a microcontroller ormicroprocessor running firmware, a field programmable gate array (FPGA)or other such means. The information displayed or enunciated on displayand enunciating module 133 may be the identifying information receivedby coupling module 131 or may be information derived from, or relatedto, that identifying information. Derived or related informationincludes but is not limited to unencrypted information, a namereferenced by an identifying number, or other derived information.

FIG. 4B illustrates an alternate embodiment of a reading device 130according to the teachings of the present invention. In this embodimentreading device 130 contains a coupling module 131 capable of coupling toa user 120 to receive a signal. The coupling module 131 may usecapacitive coupling, a galvanic connection, a combination of bothcapacitive coupling and a galvanic connection, or other means to coupleto a user 120. Coupling module 131 also performs demodulation and/orother conditioning of the received signal. According to this embodiment,a controller 132 receives the identifying signal from coupling module131 and sends that information and its own identifying information tocommunication module 134. Communication module 134 interfaces to network140 which may be any wired or wireless communication means or acombination of both. The identifying information sourced by readingdevice 130 may be a name, number, classification, type or otheridentifier either unique or not unique. According to this embodiment,controller 132 may also send information to display and enunciatingmodule 133.

In this embodiment display and enunciating module 133 displays theinformation on a visual display and/or enunciates the informationthrough a speaker or headphones. Controller 132 may be provided in theform of hardware or software or a combination of both such as amicrocontroller or microprocessor running firmware, a field programmablegate array (FPGA) or other such means. The information displayed orenunciated on display and enunciating module 133 may be the identifyinginformation received by coupling module 131 or may be informationderived from or related to that identifying information. Derivedinformation includes but is not limited to unencrypted information, aname referenced by an identifying number, or other derived or relatedinformation.

FIG. 5A depicts one embodiment of an automatic touch identificationsystem 100 suitable for practicing an illustrative embodiment of thepresent invention applied to identifying a patient in a clinicalsetting. In this embodiment an identification device 110 is worn on awristband by a patient (i.e. object 170) which contains identifyinginformation for the patient (i.e. object 170). A clinician (i.e. user120) is wearing a reading device 130 which is coupled to the clinician(i.e. user 120). According to this embodiment when the clinician (i.e.user 120) touches identifying device 110 the device is also coupled tothe clinician (i.e. user 120) and identifying information is conductedor transmitted by or through the clinician (i.e. user 120) to readingdevice 130. The identifying information may include data about patient(i.e. object 170) obtained from a sensor 115 in identification device110. Reading device 130 displays and/or enunciates the identifyinginformation to the clinician (i.e. user 120).

Another embodiment of an automatic touch identification system 100applied to positively identifying a patient in a clinical setting isillustrated in FIG. 5B. In this embodiment an identification device 110is worn on a wristband by a patient (i.e. object 170) which containsidentifying information for the patient (i.e. object 170). A clinician(i.e. user 120) is wearing a reading device 130 which is coupled to theclinician (i.e. user 120). According to this embodiment when theclinician (i.e. user 120) touches identifying device 110 the device isalso coupled to the clinician (i.e. user 120) and identifyinginformation is conducted or transmitted by or through the clinician(i.e. user 120) to reading device 130. The identifying information mayinclude data about patient (i.e. object 170) obtained from a sensor 115in identification device 110. In this embodiment reading device 130 isintegrated with a wireless communication device which sends theidentifying information through network 140 to a server (i.e. computingdevice 150). According to this embodiment network 140 consists of a WiFinetwork and a local area network (LAN). Reading device 130 sends theidentifying information from identification device 110 and its ownidentifying information via wireless connection 141 to wireless accesspoint 142. Wireless access point 142 is connected via a LAN 143 to theserver (i.e. computing device 150). The server (i.e. computing device150) receives the identifying information, retrieves related informationabout the patient (i.e. object 170), verifies that the user 120 isauthorized to see patient information, and if verified sends the relatedinformation back through the network 140. Reading device 130 receivesthe related information and displays and/or enunciates the informationto the clinician (i.e. user 120).

FIG. 6 depicts one embodiment of an automatic touch identificationsystem 100 suitable for practicing an illustrative embodiment of thepresent invention applied to a door entry system (i.e. object 170). Inthis embodiment an identification device 110 is worn by a user 120 whichcontains identifying information for the user 120 and is coupled to theuser 120. A reading device 130 is integrated with a door entry system(i.e. object 170) which is connected through network 140 to a server(i.e. computing device 150). According to this embodiment when the user120 touches reading device 130 the reading device 130 is coupled to theuser 120 and identifying information is conducted or transmitted by orthrough the user 120 from identifying device 110 to reading device 130.In this embodiment reading device 130 sends the identifying informationfrom identification device 130 and its own identifying informationthrough network 140 to a server (i.e. computing device 150). Accordingto this embodiment the server (i.e. computing device 150) receives theidentifying information, determines if the user 120 is authorized toenter the through the door, and if so sends a signal to the door entrysystem (i.e. object 170) opening the door. In this embodiment theidentifying information, date and time, and action taken are stored inelectronic storage 160 which can be later retrieved for reporting orother purposes.

FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment of a process used to manage the door entrysystem of FIG. 6. Reading device 130 looks for identifying information(an ID) from an identification device 110 which identifies user 120(step 402). When an ID is received, it is sent to computing device 150which checks to see if user 120 is authorized to pass through door entrysystem 170 (step 403). If the user 120 is not authorized to pass throughdoor entry system 170, then the system returns to scan for another ID.If the user 120 is authorized to pass through door entry system 170,then computing device 150 notifies door entry system 170 to unlock thedoor (step 404) and returns to scan for another ID.

FIG. 8 depicts one embodiment of an automatic touch identificationsystem 100 suitable for practicing an illustrative embodiment of thepresent invention applied to a hand washing detection system. In thisembodiment an identification device 110 is worn by a user 120 whichcontains identifying information for the user 120 and is coupled to theuser 120. A reading device 130 is attached to the activating lever of asoap dispenser (i.e. object 170) which is connected through network 140to a server (i.e. computing device 150). According to this embodimentwhen the user 120 touches the activating lever reading device 130 isalso contacted. This contact results in reading device 130 being coupledto the user 120 and identifying information is conducted or transmittedby or through the user 120 from identifying device 110 to reading device130. In this embodiment reading device 130 sends the identifyinginformation from identification device 130 and its own identifyinginformation through network 140 to a server (i.e. computing device 150).According to this embodiment the server (i.e. computing device 150)receives the identifying information and determines that the user 120has used the soap dispenser (i.e. object 170). In this embodiment theidentifying information, date and time are stored in electronic storage160 which can be later retrieved for reporting or other purposes.

Another embodiment of an automatic touch identification system 100applied to a hand washing detection system is illustrated in FIG. 9. Inthis embodiment a reading device 130 is worn by a user 120 whichcontains identifying information for the user 120 and is coupled to theuser 120. Reading device 130 is also connected through network 140 to aserver (i.e. computing device 150). According to this embodiment network140 consists of a WiFi network and a local area network (LAN). Anidentification device 110 is attached to the activating lever of a soapdispenser (i.e. object 170). According to this embodiment when the user120 touches the activating lever, identification device 110 is alsocontacted. This contact results in identification device 110 beingcoupled to the user 120 and identifying information is conducted ortransmitted by or through the user 120 from identifying device 110 toreading device 130. In this embodiment reading device 130 sends theidentifying information from identification device 130 and its ownidentifying information through network 140 to a server (i.e. computingdevice 150). According to this embodiment the server (i.e. computingdevice 150) receives the identifying information and determines that theuser 120 has used the soap dispenser (i.e. object 170).

FIG. 10 depicts an embodiment of a process used to manage the handwashing system of FIG. 9. The system checks to see if user 120 has comein contact with a dirty object (step 502). Dirty objects can bedetermined by identifying information from an identification device 110associated with such objects (e.g. an identification device 110 attachedto, or integrated into, a toilet handle). Likewise clean objects can bedetermined by identifying information from an identification device 110associated with such objects (e.g. an identification device 110 attachedto, or integrated into, a refrigerator handle). After detecting contactwith a dirty object, the system checks to see if the user 120 washes hishands (step 503) before touching a clean object (step 505) or before aperiod of time expires (step 506). If so, the system logs that the userwashed his hands appropriately (step 504). If not, then the systems logsthat the user was in violation of the hand washing process (step 507).

FIG. 11 depicts one embodiment of an automatic touch identificationsystem 100 suitable for practicing an illustrative embodiment of thepresent invention applied to a computer sign-on/sign-off system. In thisembodiment an identification device 110 is worn by a user 120 whichcontains identifying information for user 120 and is coupled to the user120. A reading device 130 is attached or placed near the keyboard 151which is connected through network 140 to personal computer 153.Keyboard 151, display 152 and personal computer 153 together make upcomputing device 150 which is also object 170 in this embodiment.According to this embodiment when the user 120 uses keyboard 151 theuser 120 also touches or comes in close proximity to reading device 130which results in reading device 130 being coupled to the user 120 andidentifying information is conducted or transmitted by or through theuser 120 from identifying device 110 to reading device 130. In thisembodiment reading device 130 sends the identifying information fromidentification device 110 and its own identifying information throughnetwork 140 to personal computer 153. According to this embodimentpersonal computer 153 receives the identifying information from readingdevice 130 and typing activity from keyboard 151 which it utilizes tomanage the sign-on and sign-off of user 120 according to the diagramprovided in FIG. 12. Personal computer 153 uses display 152 to conveyinformation and/or instructions to user 120.

FIG. 12 depicts an embodiment of a process used to manage thesign-on/sign-off system of FIG. 11. When keyboard activity is detected(step 202) personal computer 153 checks to see if the identifyinginformation received from reading device 130 contains a valid ID from anidentification device 110 (step 203). If a valid ID is present thenpersonal computer 153 displays a logon screen for that user 120 (step205) on display 152. If a valid ID is not present then a standarddesktop display is shown (step 204) on display 152. Once the user 120has logged onto the system, personal computer 153 monitors the keyboard151 for activity (step 206). If the keyboard 151 is inactive for a setperiod of time then personal computer 153 blanks the display 152 (step207). Blanking the display 152 ensures that sensitive information is notseen by unauthorized people in case keyboard inactivity was due to theuser 120 walking away from the system. When keyboard activity is seenagain (step 208) personal computer 153 checks to see if the same user120 is using the keyboard 151, by checking to see if the sameidentifying information is received from reading device 130 (step 209).If there is no identifying information, the identifying informationdoesn't match, or the original user did not logon using anidentification device 110, then personal computer 153 logs off theoriginal user and returns to start (step 201). If the identifyinginformation matches, then personal computer 153 returns the display 152to the screen that was present before the display 152 was blanked (step211) and returns to step 206. If at any time the user 120 logs off thenpersonal computer 153 returns to step 201.

FIG. 13 depicts one embodiment of an automatic touch identificationsystem 100 suitable for practicing an illustrative embodiment of thepresent invention applied to an activity monitoring system. In thisembodiment a reading device 130 is worn by a user 120 which containsidentifying information for the user 120 and is coupled to the user 120.The reading device 130 is connected through wireless network 140 to areceiver (i.e. computing device 150). The wireless network could beBluetooth, WiFi, a custom network, or other suitable means. According tothis embodiment, identification device 110 is attached to, or integratedinto the knob of a stove (i.e. object 170) and contains identifyinginformation for the stove. In this embodiment, when the user 120 touchesthe stove knob (i.e. identification device 110) the identificationdevice 110 is coupled to the user 120 and identifying information isconducted or transmitted by or through the user 120 from identifyingdevice 110 to reading device 130. Other identification devices may beattached to, or integrated into, other objects providing identifyinginformation for those objects when those identification devices aretouched by the user 120. According to this embodiment, reading device130 sends identifying information received from identification device110 and its own identifying information through network 140 to thereceiver (i.e. computing device 150). In this embodiment the receiver(i.e. computing device 150) receives the identifying information, andforwards it through wide area network 180 to a remote monitoring andresponse service 190. Remote monitoring and response service 190 and/orthe receiver (i.e. computing device 150) utilize the information toprovide activity reports, notifications, and alerts based on theactivity of user 120. According to this embodiment, notifications andalerts can be sent to reading device 130. This information iscommunicated to user 120 via the display and enunciating module 133 ofreading device 130

FIG. 14 depicts an embodiment of a process used to manage the activitymonitoring system of FIG. 13. The system checks to see if user 120 hascome in contact with an identification device 110 (step 602). Whencontact is made identifying information from identification device 110is sent to the receiver (i.e. computing device 150), which in turn sendsthe information to remote monitoring and response service 190 (step603). The identifying information is analyzed by one or both of thereceiver (i.e. computing device 150) and remote monitoring and responseservice 190 and the data compared to limits for alerting purposes (step604). The data is compared to alert limits and determination is made ifan alert condition has occurred (step 606). If an alert condition hasoccurred then notification is provided to User 120 through the displayand enunciating module 133 of reading device 130 (step 607). Data isretained for future review (step 605).

An example of an identification device 110 according to an embodiment ofthe current invention is illustrated in FIG. 15A. According to thisembodiment, identification device 110 is in the form of a small tagcomprised of an enclosure 116 housing a printed circuit board 117 whichcontains battery 114 on one side and circuitry making up controller 112and coupling module 111 on the other side. In this embodiment, couplingmodule 111 includes a conductive coupling plate 115 located on, or justbelow, the interior surface of enclosure 116. Coupling plate 115 isdriven with the identifying signal. When user 120 touches, or comes invery close proximity to, enclosure 116, the body of user 120 iscapacitively coupled to identification device 110. Coupling plate 115can be any conductive element intended to create a capacitive couplingwith user 120.

FIG. 15B illustrates another embodiment of an identification device 110similar to that shown in FIG. 15A except that coupling plate 115 isexposed. According to this embodiment, identification device 110 is inthe form of a small tag comprised of an enclosure 116 housing a printedcircuit board 117 which contains battery 114 on one side and circuitrymaking up controller 112 and coupling module 111 on the other side. Inthis embodiment, coupling module 111 includes a conductive couplingplate 115 exposed through an opening in enclosure 116. Coupling plate115 is driven with the identifying signal. When user 120 touchescoupling plate 115 with bare skin, the body of user 120 is galvanicallyconnected to identification device 110. When user 120 comes in veryclose proximity to coupling plate 115, or touches coupling plate 115through clothing (e.g. glove), the body of user 120 is capacitivelycoupled to identification device 110. Coupling plate 115 can be anyconductive element intended to create a capacitive coupling, a galvanicconnection, or a combination of both capacitive coupling and a galvanicconnection with user 120.

The same or similar techniques as those illustrated in FIG. 15A and FIG.15B can be used to couple user 120 to reading device 130 which will beobvious to someone versed in the art.

According to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 15A and 15B, couplingplate 115 and printed circuit board 117 form a “parasitic dipoleantenna” that could radiate the identifying signal. As illustrated inFIG. 16, if the modulated carrier from identification device 110 was toradiate from the parasitic dipole antenna, that radiating signal 190could be picked up by nearby user 120 and conducted or transmitted by orthrough user 120 to reading device 130, or the radiating signal 190could be picked up directly by reading device 130, either case resultingin a false indication that user 120 had touched or was in very closeproximity to identification device 110. Any such radiating signal 190could also be picked by a listening device such as a radio receiver 240which could create a security issue with the system. In addition to theabove concerns, it is also desirable to minimize radiation from theparasitic dipole antenna so that identification device 110 can passradiated emissions regulations and so that it does not need to meetradio regulations for intentional radiators, allowing identificationdevice 110 to be simpler and less expensive than a device designed tomeet radio regulations for intentional radiators.

To prevent false indications that user 120 had touched or was in veryclose proximity to an identification device 110, and to avoid securityissues due to the identifying signal being picked by a listening device240, as well as to meet radiated emissions regulations, the carrierfrequency of the identifying signal and the size of the coupling plate115 must be selected so as to avoid creating a significant radiatingsignal 190 from the parasitic dipole antenna. Since the efficiency of adipole antenna is reduced significantly as the size of the dipolebecomes a small fraction of the wavelength of the carrier frequency, itis desirable to utilize a carrier frequency and a coupling plate 115such that the size of the parasitic dipole antenna is a small fractionof the wavelength of the carrier frequency. At the same time, the sizeof coupling plate 115 must be large enough to allow for adequatecoupling between user 120 and identification device 110.

Two examples of a coupling plate 115 coupled to the finger of a user 120according to the current embodiment are shown in FIG. 17A and FIG. 17B.The amount of coupling is proportional to the capacitance between thefinger of user 120 and coupling plate 115, which is a function of thearea and distance between the finger of user 120 and coupling plate 115.While the coupling plate 115 of FIG. 17A is significantly larger thanthe coupling plate 115 of FIG. 17B, the amount of capacitance and thuscoupling between the finger of user 120 and coupling plate 115 is notincreased in proportion to the size of the coupling plate since thedistance between the finger of user 120 and coupling plate 115 increasessignificantly for the area of coupling plate 115 that is not directlyunder the tip of the finger of user 120 (“effective area”). Theeffective area of coupling plate 115 of FIG. 17A is approximately thesame as the area of coupling plate 115 of FIG. 17B; however, thecoupling plate 115 of FIG. 17B has the advantage of radiating lesssignal at a given carrier frequency than the coupling plate 115 of FIG.17A.

As stated above, to prevent false indications that user 120 had touchedor was in very close proximity to an identification device 110, and toavoid security issues due to the identifying signal being picked up by alistening device 240, as well as to meet radiated emissions regulations,the carrier frequency of the identifying signal and the size of thecoupling plate 115 must be selected so as to avoid creating asignificant radiating signal 190 from the parasitic dipole antenna. Itis desirable to keep the radiating signal to less than 100 μV/m peak at30 m with an identifying signal of 1 Root Mean Squared Volt (V_(RMS)) inamplitude. From the area analysis above, the optimum size of thecoupling plate 115 according to the current embodiment is the size ofthe typical area of a fingertip of a user 120, or about ¾ inch indiameter. A coupling plate 115 of this size results in a parasiticdipole antenna that is approximately 1½ inch in size. To minimize theradiating signal from this parasitic dipole antenna, the carrierfrequency needs to be selected such that the radiation efficiency of theparasitic dipole antenna is minimized. These parameters can becalculated based on a comparison to a half-wave dipole antenna.

A half-wave dipole antenna has a radiated power of:

V²/75 ohms

Where V is the RMS voltage of the applied signal. With an applied signalof 1 V_(RMS) the radiated power is 13.3 mW. At 30 m this equates to1.176 μW/m² average or 1.75 μW/m² peak. Converting this to V/m theoutput is 25.6 mV/m at 30 m.

The power ratio of the parasitic dipole antenna compared to a half-wavedipole antenna needs to be:

(100 μV/m)/(25.6 mV/m)=0.0039

Since power is proportional to the square of efficiency, the radiationefficiency of the parasitic dipole must be less than 0.0625 (6.25%).

The radiation efficiency E of a dipole antenna can be approximated bythe equation:

E=Rr/(Rr+Rl)

Where Rr is radiation resistance and Rl is the resistance loss of theantenna.Radiation resistance Rr for a dipole antenna that has a lengthsignificantly less than a wavelength of the carrier frequency (“a verysmall dipole”) is determined by:

Rr=80*π²(L/W)²

Where L is the length of the very small dipole in meters and W is thewavelength of the carrier frequency in meters.For this analysis Rl is assumed to be:

Rl=0.001*sqrt(f/1,000,000)

This is based on the use of a copper coupling plate that isapproximately 2.5 mm thick, where f is the carrier frequency in Hz.To minimize the radiating signal 190 from the parasitic dipole antennaof identifying device 110, the radiating efficiency of the parasiticdipole antenna is kept at or below 6.25%. Using a coupling plate 115 of¾ inch size, the maximum usable carrier frequency is calculated to be3.02 MHz to keep the radiating efficiency of the parasitic dipoleantenna at or below the 6.25% limit. Stated from another perspective,the largest dimension of the coupling plate 115 should be less thanabout 1/2600 of a wavelength of the carrier frequency.

There is also a concern about the identifying signal radiating from thebody of the user 120. As illustrated in FIG. 18, if the identifyingsignal from identification device 110 was to radiate from user 120A,that radiating signal 190 could be picked up by nearby user 120B andconducted or transmitted by or through user 120B to reading device 130B,or the radiating signal 190 could be picked up directly by readingdevice 130B, either case resulting in a false indication that user 120Bhad touched or was in very close proximity to identification device 110.Any such radiating signal 190 could also be picked by a listening devicesuch as a radio receiver 240 which could create a security issue withthe system. In addition to preventing false indications and avoidingsecurity issues, it is desirable to minimize radiation of theidentifying signal so that identification device 110 can pass radiatedemissions regulations and does not need to meet radio regulations forintentional radiators, allowing identification device 110 to be simplerand less expensive than a device designed to meet radio regulations forintentional radiators.

The line labeled “Radiation” in FIG. 21 shows an example of the relativeamplitude of the radiated signal from user 120 at various carrierfrequencies as determined from the test setup illustrated in FIG. 19. Inthe test setup of FIG. 19, a test signal is coupled to user 120 fromtest generator 210 using the coupling method illustrated in FIG. 15Awith an upper test limit of 3.02 MHz established above. A test antenna220 and test receiver 230 are utilized to measure the relative amplitudeof the radiating signal 190 from user 120.

The line labeled “Conduction” in FIG. 21 shows an example of therelative amplitude of the signal conducted or transmitted by or throughuser 120 at various carrier frequencies as determined from the testsetup illustrated in FIG. 20. In the test setup of FIG. 18, a testsignal is coupled to user 120 from test generator 210 using the couplingmethod illustrated in FIG. 15A with an upper test limit of 3.02 MHzestablished above. A test receiver 230 is also coupled to user 120 in asimilar manner and is utilized to measure the relative amplitude of thesignal conducted or transmitted by or through user 120.

FIG. 21 shows the example of the relative amplitude of the radiatedsignal from user 120 (“Radiation” curve) and the relative amplitude ofthe signal conducted or transmitted by or through user 120 (“Conduction”curve) on the same graph. In this embodiment, the optimum operatingrange for the carrier frequency is selected to minimize radiation of theidentifying signal from the body of user 120, while providing sufficientsignal conducted or transmitted by or through user 120 to reliablyreceive the identifying signal with reading device 130.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, coupling module 111of identification device 110 utilizes a carrier frequency for theidentifying signal in the range of about 1 MHz to 3 MHz (about 2 MHznominal) and coupling module 131 of reading device 130 receives,demodulates, and/or performs other conditioning of the received signal.According to this preferred embodiment, a carrier frequency in the rangeof about 1 MHz to 3 MHz (about 2 MHz nominal) is utilized to minimizeradiation of the identifying signal from the body of user 120, and tohave sufficient signal amplitude to reliably receive the identifyingsignal that is conducted or transmitted by or through user 120 toreading device 130.

FIG. 22 illustrates a flow diagram describing the coupling of theidentification device and the reading device according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in step 301, theuser is first coupled to an identification device or a reading device.The user may be coupled to the devices by, for example, carrying thedevice and wearing an item where the device is attached. The user isthen coupled to the other of the identification device or the readingdevice (step 302). The second coupling may be, for example, a galvaniccoupling or a capacitive coupling. Once the user is coupled to both theidentification device and the reading device, the identifyinginformation from identification device is conducted or transmitted by orthrough the user to reading device (step 303). The reading device maystore identifying information itself and/or may derive information usingthe identifying information transmitted by the identification device.The identifying information and/or derived information may becommunicated to the user via the reading device (step 304). It ispossible to match the identifying information on the identificationdevice and the identifying information or the derived information on thereading device using the exemplary method illustrated in FIG. 22.

FIG. 23 illustrates a flow diagram describing the coupling of theidentification device and the reading device where the reading devicecommunicates with a computing device over a network according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the stepsdescribed above in connection with FIG. 22, the user is first coupled toan identification device or a reading device (step 301). The user isthen coupled to the other of the identification device or the readingdevice (step 302). Once the user is coupled to both the identificationdevice and the reading device, the identifying information fromidentification device is conducted or transmitted by or through the userto reading device (step 303). As illustrated in FIG. 23, the readingdevice may send the identifying information to a computing device via anetwork connection (step 305). The reading device may derive informationfrom the identifying information received from the identificationdevice. The reading device may send the derived information to thecomputing device via the network connection. According to variousembodiments of the present application, the identifying information maybe used for an application and/or stored in an electronic storageconnected to the computing device (step 306). The computing device maystore identifying information or may derive information from theidentifying information sent from the reading device. The computingdevice may also send the identifying information and/or the derivedinformation to the reading device via the network (step 307). Theidentifying information and/or derived information may be communicatedto the user via the reading device (step 304). It is possible to matchthe identifying information on the identification device and theidentifying information or the derived information on the reading deviceusing the exemplary method illustrated in FIG. 23.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described andillustrated above, it should be understood that these are exemplary ofthe invention and are not to be considered as limiting. Additions,omissions, substitutions, and other modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the present invention.Accordingly, the invention is not to be considered as being limited bythe foregoing description, and is only limited by the scope of theappended claims.

1. An identification system for transmitting or receiving informationvia a user, comprising: an identification device for transmittingidentifying information via the user, wherein the identification deviceincludes a first coupling module configured to couple the identificationdevice to the user by a capacitive type connection or a galvanic typeconnection, and a reading device for receiving the identifyinginformation from the identification device via the user, wherein thereading device includes a second coupling module configured to couplethe reading device to the user by a capacitive type connection or agalvanic type connection, wherein size or shape of a coupling plate ofthe first coupling module or the second coupling module, and a carrierfrequency used to transmit the identifying information to the readingdevice via the user are selected such that communication between theidentification device and the reading device is based on a capacitivetype connection or a galvanic type connection to the user withoutrelying upon radiation of a communication signal.
 2. The system of claim1, wherein the identification device further comprises: a controller fordetermining a transmission period, duration and content of theidentifying information.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein theidentification device further comprises: a touch detector fordetermining if the user has touched or is in close proximity with theidentification device, wherein the touch detector is connected to thecontroller.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the reading device furthercomprises: a display and enunciating module for: displaying theidentifying information received from the identification device on avisual display, or enunciating the identifying information received fromthe identification device through a speaker or headphones.
 5. The systemof claim 1, wherein the reading device is adapted to derive informationfrom the identifying information received from the identificationdevice.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the reading device furthercomprises: a display and enunciating module for: displaying theidentifying information received from the identification device or theinformation derived from the identifying information on a visualdisplay, or enunciating the identifying information received from theidentification device or the information derived from the identifyinginformation through a speaker or headphones.
 7. The system of claim 1,wherein the reading device is adapted to communicate over a network, thereading device further comprises: a communication module forcommunicating with a computing device over a network, wherein thecomputing device or the reading device is configured to deriveinformation from the identifying information received from theidentification device.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the readingdevice is integrated with a personal digital assistant (PDA); and thenetwork is a wireless LAN.
 9. The system of claim 7, wherein the readingdevice is integrated with a cell phone; and the network is a cell phoneinfrastructure.
 10. The system of claim 7, wherein the reading device isintegrated with a real-time locating system (RTLS) tag; and the networkis a RTLS infrastructure.
 11. A method of verifying identifyinginformation from an identification device, the method comprising:coupling an identification device to a user via one or more of acapacitive coupling and a galvanic connection using a first couplingmodule; coupling a reading device to the user via one or more of acapacitive coupling and a galvanic connection using a second couplingmodule; transmitting, by the first coupling module, identifyinginformation from the identification device to the reading device via theuser such that the communication is based on a capacitive typeconnection or a galvanic type connection to the user without relyingupon radiation of a communication signal; and receiving, at the readingdevice, the identifying information transmitted by the identificationdevice via the user.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:establishing a network connection between the reading device and acomputing device; and sending, by the reading device, the identifyinginformation to the computing device over the network connection.
 13. Themethod of claim 12, further comprising: using, by the computing device,the identifying information for an application; or storing theidentifying information in an electronic storage.
 14. The method ofclaim 12, further comprising: sending, by the computing device, theidentifying information to the reading device via the networkconnection.
 15. The method of claim 11, further comprising: establishinga network connection between the reading device and a computing device;deriving information from the identifying information received from theidentification device using the reading device or the computing device,and sending, by the reading device, the identifying information or theinformation derived from the identifying information by the readingdevice to the computing device over the network connection.
 16. Themethod of claim 15, further comprising: using, by the computing device,the identifying information or the information derived from theidentifying information for an application; or storing the identifyinginformation or the information derived from the identifying informationin an electronic storage.
 17. The method of claim 15, furthercomprising: sending, by the computing device, the identifyinginformation or the information derived from the identifying informationto the reading device via the network connection.
 18. An identificationdevice for transmitting identifying information via a user, comprising:a coupling module configured to: couple the identification device to theuser by a capacitive type connection or a galvanic type connection,couple the identification device to surrounding environment by acapacitive type connection or a galvanic type connection, and transmitidentifying information via the user using a carrier frequency, whereincommunication by the identification device is based on a capacitive typeconnection or a galvanic type connection to the user without relyingupon radiation of a communication signal.
 19. A reading device forreceiving identifying information via the user, comprising: a couplingmodule configured to: couple the reading device to the user by acapacitive type connection or a galvanic type connection, couple tosurrounding environment by a capacitive type connection or a galvanictype connection, and receive identifying information via the user at apredetermined carrier frequency, wherein communication to the readingdevice is based on a capacitive type connection or a galvanic typeconnection to the user without relying upon radiation of a communicationsignal.
 20. A method for using an automatic identification system tocontrol a door entry system, the method comprising: coupling anidentification device or a reading device to a user via one or more of acapacitive coupling or a galvanic connection using a coupling module;coupling a reading device to a computing device; transmittingidentifying information from the identification device to the readingdevice via the user when the user establishes one or more of acapacitive coupling or a galvanic connection with a complementaryreading device or identification device; transmitting, by the readingdevice, the identifying information received from the identificationdevice to the computing device; determining whether the identifyinginformation is authorized to open the door; and sending an activatingsignal to the door entry system allowing the door to be opened if it isdetermined that the identifying information is authorized to open thedoor.
 21. A method for using an automatic identification system tocontrol a hand washing monitoring system, the method comprising:coupling an identification device or a reading device to a user via oneor more of a capacitive coupling or a galvanic connection using acoupling module; coupling a reading device to a computing device;transmitting identifying information from the identification device tothe reading device via the user when the user establishes one or more ofa capacitive coupling or a galvanic connection with a complementaryreading device or identification device; transmitting, by the readingdevice, the identifying information received from the identificationdevice to the computing device; transmitting subsequent identifyinginformation by the reading device as the user comes in contact with oneor more complementary reading devices or identification devices;determining based on the subsequent identifying information whether theuser came in contact with a dirty object; if it is determined that theuser came in contact with the dirty object, determining, based on thesubsequent identifying information, whether the user washed hands priorto touching a clean object or prior to an end of a preset timeoutperiod; if it is determined that the user washed hands prior to touchingthe clean object or prior to the end of the preset timeout period,logging an event indicating proper procedure by the user; if it isdetermined that the user did not wash hands prior to touching the cleanobject or prior to the end of the preset timeout period, logging anevent indicating improper procedure by the user.
 22. A method for usingan automatic identification system to control an activity monitoringsystem, the method comprising: coupling a reading device to a user viaone or more of a capacitive coupling or a galvanic connection using acoupling module; coupling a reading device to a computing device;locating one or more identification devices on, or integrating theidentification devices into, one or more objects; transmittingidentifying information from the identification device to the readingdevice via the user when the user establishes one or more of acapacitive coupling or a galvanic connection with at least one of theone or more identification devices; transmitting, by the reading device,the identifying information received from the at least one of the one ormore identification devices to the computing device; and transmitting,by the computing device, the identifying information received from theat least one of the one or more identification devices to a remotemonitoring and response service.